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2002 Wollongong

Departed: 07:15 returned at approx. 15:45.
Sea conditions: to 1.0m SE at first and to 1.0m NE in the afternoon.
Swell: SE to 1.5m.
Weather: Overcast at first with some showers, cloud persisting during the morning but with sunshine increasing during the day.
Temperature range: 22 to 24°C.
Barometric pressure: 1014 rising.
Wind: SE 10kts at first, backing to NE 5 to 10 kts by mid morning.
Sea surface temperature: 21.8 to 26.3°C.
Primary chumming location: S 34° 30’ – E 151° 14’.

Summary:

A wonderful early summer day moderated by cooling easterly breezes and persistent cloud cover. The weather over the previous few days had been influenced by a high-pressure system centred in the Tasman Sea and a ridge of low pressure extending along the NSW coast that generated easterly breezes. The water offshore was warm and with very warm water expected wide of the continental shelf our thoughts turned to tropical species.
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Departed: 07:40 returned at approx. 15:30.
Sea conditions: SSE 1.0 to 2.0m at first then and to 1.5m ENE, dropping late in the afternoon.
Swell: 1.0 to 2.0m SE dropping through the day.
Weather: Cloudy with drizzle at first followed by brighter periods, clearing later, 18 to 26°C.
Barometric pressure: 1025 rising.
Wind: SSE 15 kts veering ENE 10 to 15 kts by mid morning.
Sea surface temperature: 17.1 to 21.5°C.

The sequence of trips affected by adverse weather conditions continued! A low-pressure system remained in the Tasman Sea but the high-pressure system in the Great Australian Bight had moved east overnight causing the southerly winds to ease somewhat. Daylight saving time came into force during the night so we were not totally surprised when a party of 12 overseas visitors did not appear at 07:00. By 08:15 they had still not appeared allowing a couple of lucky standby observers to join us. Our depleted but hardy contingent donned their waterproof gear and gripped the rails tightly…YET AGAIN!
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Another trip compromised by bad weather! A low-pressure system in the Tasman Sea and a high-pressure system in the Great Australian Bight generated strong southerly winds overnight. The hardy contingent of international visitors dispelled any notion of canceling this trip. It was a case of donning the waterproof gear and hanging on tightly….. AGAIN!
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